Southern California -- this just in

Crowds expected at memorial for rapper Nate Dogg

Organizers are expecting large crowds at the memorial for rapper Nate Dogg, who died earlier this month.

Nate Dogg, who grew up in Long Beach and was a well-known figure there, will be memorialized at a funeral and life celebration at the Queen Mary Dome on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Nate Dogg, who was born Nathaniel D. Hale, died March 16 at a Laguna Niguel care facility of complications from multiple strokes.

He first gained attention for two tracks on Dr. Dre's 1992 multi-platinum debut, "The Chronic," and quickly became the go-to crooner for hooks on rap albums by 50 Cent, Eminem, Ludacris and Fabolous. He also frequently collaborated with Tupac, as well as Snoop Dogg and Warren G.

Warren G and Nate Dogg earned a Grammy nomination for the 1995 gangsta-rap track "Regulate," one of three nominations he eventually received.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported Nate Dogg's family was trying to restrict access to the memorial out of concerns that huge crowds would attend.